Niles Paul

One of three in-state recruits in Nebraska's 2007 recruiting class, Omaha North product Niles Paul is generally regarded as the top senior in the state. Paul is Nebraska's first scholarship signee from Omaha North since receiver Wilson Thomas inked with the Huskers in 1998. Paul's signing also marks the 13th consecutive year that Nebraska has signed at least one player from Omaha. He is the nephew of former Husker great and current Green Bay Packer running back Ahman Green. The 6-1, 210-pound Paul posted standout receiving numbers for Coach Larry Martin and the North Vikings the past two seasons. Last fall, Paul hauled in 46 passes for 814 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged nearly 18 yards per reception, and was also a dangerous return threat averaging better than 18 yards per punt return. Paul's performance helped Omaha North to a 9-2 record and a trip to the Class A state quarterfinals. For his efforts, Paul was named a first-team All-Nebraska and first-team All-Metro selection by the Omaha World-Herald and a first-team Super-State pick by the Lincoln Journal Star. Paul was also one of 58 players nationally who were selected as a Parade All-American. Paul excelled as a junior for Omaha North, when he averaged 19.5 yards on 32 receptions and caught 10 touchdown passes. He also averaged 25.6 yards per kickoff return as a junior and nearly 10 yards on his punt return attempts. His performance as a junior earned him second-team SuperState honors from the Lincoln Journal Star and second-team All-Metro honors from the World-Herald. Paul is ranked as one of the nation's top receiving prospects by several recruiting services. Rivals.com ranks Paul as the top overall prospect in the state, the No. 10 receiver recruit in the country and the 73rd-best overall prospect nationally. Scout.com also lists Paul as a four-star recruit and ranks him as the 20th-best receiving prospect in the nation, while SuperPrep Magazine lists him as the No. 5 prospect in the Midlands Region and the eighth-best receiving prospect in the country. Paul was the only Husker signee to play in the U.S. Army All-American Game in San Antonio, and was the leading receiver for the West team. Paul is a multi-sport star for Omaha North. Last spring he led the Vikings to the Class A state track title by winning four gold medals. Individually, he captured the Class A titles in the 110 and 300 meter hurdles and was part of all-class gold medal teams in the 4x100 and 4x400-meter relays. Paul also won the Class A state title in the 300 meter hurdles as a sophomore in 2005. On the basketball court, Paul is among the Class A leaders in scoring at 19.0 points per game and leads the state in rebounding at better than 11 boards per contest. Paul was Nebraska's first commitment in the 2007 class, pledging his intention in January of 2006. He is the son of Nick DeCosta-Paul and was born on Aug. 9, 1989.